Waistband and pantyhose garment and method of making

ABSTRACT

A waistband for a pantyhose, a pantyhose including the waistband and a method of making the pantyhose. The waistband includes a cylindrical elastic material measured to cover body of a pantyhose wearer from a top of hip bone downward over the hip bone. Such a low-lying waistband covers the hip comfortably and is supported by the hip bone such that it does not cut into the softer parts of the abdomen to create pain in the skin and internal organs. Both the width and location of the waistband hold the pantyhose in place. The waistband continues downward from the top of the hip bone and ends substantially where the hip bone connects to the leg bone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of the Japanese design patent application number 2009-5466 entitled “Pantyhose” and filed in the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 23, 2009, and to U.S. design patent application No. 29341725 entitled “Pantyhose and tights” and filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 11, 2009, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to garments and, in particular, to pantyhose and tights and methods of making such garments.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional pantyhose include a waistband that is usually narrow and sits on the waist. This waistband creates a muffin top effect by pushing the flesh and fat above and below the waistband. In addition to creating an undesirable appearance, the narrow waistband that falls in a soft area of the body cuts into the waist and creates discomfort for both the skin and the internal organs that are being squeezed by it. Pain in the stomach area is a common consequence of pantyhose waistband. If the waistband is not sufficiently tight, then the pantyhose is likely too big for the person wearing the pantyhose and may slide down.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art pantyhose and the muffin top effect created by such pantyhose.

In FIG. 1, a prior art pantyhose 100 includes a narrow waistband 110 that is connected to hoses 120 that in turn include both a panty and two stockings. The drawing shows the bunching up of the skin and fat above and below the waistband that is unsightly, uncomfortable and unhealthy.

FIG. 2 shows another prior art pantyhose that includes a modified waistband.

The pantyhose 200 of FIG. 2 includes a modified waistband 210 that includes a turned welt anchor section 211 and a wideband section 212 in addition to the panty and stockings that form the hose section 220. This modified waistband 210 was the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,652 (the '652 patent) issued to Davis et al. The waistband of FIG. 2 still cuts into the waist and creates a bunching effect that appears unsightly and is likely uncomfortable and unhealthy.

According to the disclosure of the '652 patent, a conventional two ply, turned welt waistband includes spandex or other suitable type of elastic yarn for providing an inward compressive force against the waist of a wearer to aid in maintaining the waistband in position when the pantyhose garment is worn. According to this patent, a normal waistband has a width of approximately ½ inch to ¾ inch and a tendency to slip down the waist and hips of a wearer as a result of movements performed in ordinary day-to-day activities. The '652 patent attempts to overcome the slippage problem by constructing a new and improved waistband comprising a relatively narrow anchor section of a turned welt construction and a relatively wide band section of a single layer. According to the '652 patent such a waistband construction, which may range in width up to five inches, eliminates the binding and cutting problem of the prior waistbands and resists slippage.

The wider two-part waistband of the '652 falls on the softer parts of the body. It still includes the narrow anchor section 211 that can cut into the waist and create a muffin top effect. The wider lower part 212 is liable to create another dent on the skin and into the fat where its lower border falls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a pantyhose waistband that overcomes the problems associated with the waistbands of prior art, a pantyhose including the pantyhose waistband and a method of making the pantyhose.

One aspect of the present invention provides a pantyhose waistband that is wide and whose upper rim falls on the hip bone. As such, the waistband is supported by the bone and avoids the softer parts of the body above the hip bone. Any indentation at the hip bone is minimal because it is interrupted by the bone. As such, the pantyhose covers the hip and the lower part of the abdomen softly and comfortably and does not form line that are visible over the clothing.

One aspect of the present invention provides a pantyhose waistband that includes a cylindrical elastic material measured to cover body of a pantyhose wearer from a top of hip bone downward over the hip bone. Such a wide and low-lying waistband covers the hip comfortably and is supported by the hip bone such that it does not cut into the softer parts of the abdomen to create pain in the skin and internal organs. The waistband continues downward from the top of the hip bone and ends substantially where the hip bone connects to the leg bone.

One aspect of the present invention provides a pantyhose garment that includes a waistband, and a hose connected to the waistband and including a panty and stockings. The waistband is manufactured to sit on a body of a wearer starting from top of hip bone of the wearer and downward along the hip bone. A lower rim of the waistband stops where the hip bone ends. The waistband may be 3 to 5 inches wide. The lower rim of the waistband may be located at least 1.5 inches above a crotch line of the panty. The waistband may be cylindrical in shape. The waistband may be made from elastic material. The waistband and the hose may be integrally manufactured. Alternatively, the waistband and the hose may be separately manufactured and subsequently connected together. A width of the waistband may be custom-determined according to a size and shape of the wearer such that a top rim of the waistband falls at the hip bone and a bottom rim of the waistband falls where the hip bone connects to leg bones. Alternatively, a width of the waistband may be determined according to measurements available in garment industry for a target population to have a top rim of the waistband failing at the hip bone and a bottom rim of the waistband failing where the hip bone connects to leg bones.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a pantyhose. The method includes manufacturing a waistband, manufacturing a hose section, the hose section including a panty and stockings, and forming the pantyhose from the waistband and the hose section. The waistband includes a cylindrical elastic material measured to cover a body of a pantyhose wearer from a top of hip bone downward over the hip bone. Forming the pantyhose may include connecting the waistband to the hose or integrally manufacturing the waistband and the hose together.

One aspect of the present invention provides a waistband for a pantyhose, where the waistband includes a cylindrical elastic material measured to cover a body of a pantyhose wearer from a top of hip bone downward over the hip bone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art pantyhose and the muffin top effect created by such pantyhose.

FIG. 2 shows another prior art pantyhose that includes a modified waistband.

FIG. 3 shows a pantyhose waistband and a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a method of making a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a back of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows top view a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a pantyhose waistband, a pantyhose and a method of making the pantyhose.

FIG. 3 shows a pantyhose waistband and a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

The pantyhose 300 of FIG. 3 includes a waistband 310 that is connected to a hose section 320 that in turn includes a panty and stockings. The waistband 310 may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape and from an elastic material.

The waistband 310 is between 3 to 5 inches wide in order to cover the upper portion of the hip and lower back without reaching the softer portions of the buttocks. There is a distance between the lower rim of the waistband and the crotch which may by 1.5 inches or more.

Because the upper rim of the waistband 310 falls on the hip bone, little or no indentation line is formed along the upper rim of the waistband. Further, because the upper rim falls below the abdomen, it is not in a position to cut through the softer part of the body that has no bone support and cause pain in the stomach or the skin. Regular waistbands would create an indentation that is apparent from over the clothing even for a thin person.

The waistband 310 follows the hip bone down such that the lower rim of the waistband 310 is still supported by this bone and the lower back. A lower rim of the waistband may end at or before the hip bone connects to the leg bones. Therefore, the lower rim of the waistband is still supported by bone and, subject to the fat distribution of the wearer, is not in a position to create an indentation.

The waistband 310 connects to the hose portion of the pantyhose which includes the panty and the stockings. The waistband 310 and the hose portion 320 may be manufactured separately and connected together or may be formed as one integral garment.

The width of the waistband holds the waistband and the associated pantyhose in place without having to exert excessive pressure along a narrow band on the body.

The location of the waistband over the hip bone but not lower than the joint between the hip and the leg also helps to hold the waistband and the pantyhose in place on the body. The waistband ends before the legs that move and dislodge the pantyhose begin. Therefore, ending the waistband above the joint also helps prevent the pantyhose from sliding down.

FIG. 4 shows a method of making a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

The method begins at 400. At 410 a waistband according to aspects of the present invention is manufactured that has a substantially cylindrical shape. At 420, a hose portion including a panty and stockings is manufactured. At 430, the waistband is connected to the hose portion. At 440, the method ends.

In some aspects of the present invention, the waistband and the remainder of the pantyhose are manufactured in one integral product.

Because sizes and shapes of the people wearing the pantyhose vary, the industry standards that are used for measurements of clothing and hosiery are used to determine the waistband width with the goal of substantially achieving the results mentioned above. In other words, the industry standards are used to manufacture a pantyhose having a substantially wide waistband that falls near the top of the hip bone and continues downward on the bone ending before the hip bone ends. With individual wearers, the waistband may not fall in the spot exactly intended unless the pantyhose is custom made for that wearer. However, the width of the waistband may be approximately determined for target populations of potential customers based on the measurements and sizes available in the garment industry.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a back of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a side view of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows top view a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show various views of a pantyhose according to aspects of the present invention. In these drawings the anatomy of the person wearing the pantyhose is shown in further detail. The waistband is shown in hashed lines, the panty portion and the stocking portions are delimited by dotted lines. This embodiment may be manufactured in parts and assembled or alternatively manufactured as one integral garment. The width of the waistband, its location that falls on the hip bones and its distance from the crotch are apparent in the drawings.

Tights are a version of pantyhose made from thicker material. The above description is applicable to tights as well as to pantyhose.

The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A pantyhose garment, comprising: a waistband; and a hose connected to the waistband and including a panty and stockings, wherein the waistband is manufactured to sit on a body of a wearer starting from top of hip bone of the wearer and downward along the hip bone.
 2. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein a lower rim of the waistband stops where the hip bone ends.
 3. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband is 3 to 5 inches wide.
 4. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein a lower rim of the waistband is located at least 1.5 inches above a crotch line of the panty.
 5. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband is cylindrical in shape.
 6. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband is made from elastic material.
 7. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband and the hose are integrally manufactured.
 8. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband and the hose are separately manufactured and subsequently connected together.
 9. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein a width of the waistband is custom-determined according to a size and shape of the wearer, a top rim of the waistband failing at the hip bone and a bottom rim of the waistband failing where the hip bone connects to leg bones.
 10. The pantyhose garment of claim 1, wherein a width of the waistband is determined according to measurements available in garment industry for a target population to have a top rim of the waistband failing at the hip bone and a bottom rim of the waistband failing where the hip bone connects to leg bones.
 11. A method for manufacturing a pantyhose, the method including: manufacturing a waistband; manufacturing a hose section, the hose section including a panty and stockings; and forming the pantyhose from the waistband and the hose section, wherein the waistband includes a cylindrical elastic material measured to cover a body of a pantyhose wearer from a top of hip bone downward over the hip bone.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the pantyhose includes connecting the waistband to the hose.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the pantyhose includes integrally manufacturing the waistband and the hose together.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the waistband is 3 to 5 inches wide.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein a lower rim of the waistband is located at least 1.5 inches above a crotch line of the panty.
 16. A waistband for a pantyhose, the waistband including a cylindrical elastic material measured to cover a body of a pantyhose wearer from a top of hip bone downward over the hip bone.
 17. The waistband of claim 16, wherein the waistband is 3 to 5 inches wide.
 18. The waistband of claim 16, wherein the waistband ends at least 1.5 inches above a crotch line of a panty portion of the pantyhose.
 19. The waistband of claim 16, wherein a width of the waistband is custom-determined for the pantyhose wearer to cover the hip bone from top to where the hip bone connect to leg bones.
 20. The waistband of claim 16, wherein a width of the waistband is determined for a target population of pantyhose wearers to substantially cover the hip bone from top to where the hip bone connect to leg bones. 